In Orlando, dozens of eco-groups join to demand water protections

Nearly 50 environmental groups from Pensacola to Key West joined in Orlando on Thursday, putting on a pumped-up show of cooperation to denounce what they called state government's lax protections of springs, rivers, lakes and bays.

"We are now unified as one," said Donna Lee Needham of Seminole Audubon Society, addressing a row of television cameras during the protest at the offices of state environmental regulators.

A driving concern among participants is that most parts of the state have examples of badly degraded waters, but few Floridians understand that water pollution and water depletion are a statewide concern.

Another current of frustration stems from many of the environmentalists' sense that Gov. Rick Scott and lawmakers in recent years have pulled the rug from under state agencies, cutting their ability to enforce environmental protections.

Late Thursday, the state Department of Environmental Protection issued a statement in response to the protest: "Clean water is essential for the environment and the economy to thrive. The department is working toward this result" through regulations, new pollution standards and restoration projects.

Members of the newly formed coalition signed a "Floridians' Clean Water Declaration," an agreement to work together to stop pollution at its source and provide clean water for future generations.

Among those participating were groups that otherwise have varied missions, including Sierra Club, Save the Manatee Club, Friends of the Wekiva River, Florida Wildflower Foundation, Florida Wildlife Federation and Earthjustice.

The coalition will launch a series of protests across Florida in coming weeks and converge on Tallahassee to pressure state lawmakers to beef up regulations and restore support for agencies such as DEP.

"We've got to find the funding and we've got to find the will in the state Legislature to take care of the situation this year," said state Rep. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, the lone government official taking part in the gathering. "This is not a joke; this is not just a press conference; this is immediate action."

Active in talks over proposed water legislation, Stewart said there is momentum in Tallahassee for passage next year of bills that authorize and pay for cleaning up springs, inland waters and coastal estuaries. Whether any succeeds in going far enough to get the governor's signature is far from certain, she said.

Frank Jackalone, staff director of the Sierra Club in Florida, said the state devotes too much of its limited resources on restoring waters already spoiled when it should be concentrating on preventing overuse and abuse of waters.

"We've seen toxic-algae blooms all over the state that are ruining property values, killing manatees and fish," Jackalone said.

"We have to stop pollution at its source, and this statewide movement has a declaration for clean water that thousands of people are going to sign, and we are going to bring our message to Tallahassee," he said.

Jackalone said the triggering event for the coming together of so many environmental groups was the recent and sudden collapse of the Indian River Lagoon, the narrow estuary that hugs much of Florida's east coast.

In the wake of enormous algae outbreaks in recent years, more than 100 manatees, hundreds of pelicans and dozens of dolphins died in the lagoon through early this year from causes scientists have not yet been able explain.

While participants criticized DEP for not doing enough, some made clear the agency doesn't need more dedication but more people and responsibility.